Manual Focus
Nikkor 24mm
f/2.8swideangle lens(Compare
this with
the AF
Nikkor 24mm f/2.8S/D
versions)For
years, this lens has remained as clear favourite among many Nikon photographers.
Being considerably lighter and more compact in its size, the lens shares the same
angle of view with its faster version version Nikkor 24mm f/2.0s, it uses standard 52mm lens
accessories, incorporating the similar Nikon optical innovation of rear optical lens
elements correction system which enables it to maintai the high optical performance
throghout the entire focusng range from a minimum distance of 0.3m to infinity(OO).
It does has quite a few extras factors where it excels its faster Nikkor f/2.0 counterpart.
However, witholding all these positive factors within its compact size, this lens
only costs halve of the faster Nikkor 24mm f/2.0 ! There are a big pool of Nikkor
followers who believe strongly the f/2.8 lens actually out performs the faster f/2.0
optically. Although I would not want to challenge such intelligence because everybody
is entitled to his/her own view but then I did try to understand why so many people
have a differing opinion at these two wideangle lenses with essentially similar configuration
except in their respective maximum aperture - I might conclude what they actually
meant could be referring to value for money where a comparison is made side by side
among what both can offer to a photographer.

This lens
has evolved over the years which has resulted in quite a few updates and may need
a few sections in this Nikkor resources website to differenciate them. The original
version
of this 24mm lens was first introduced back in June, 1967, it has an optical construction
of 9 elements in 7 groups. Up to the pre-Ai period of the mid '70, the non-Ai
24mm f/2.8
has added some exterior changes to its design. It followed by, around the period
of 1977/1978 where a non-AI Nikkor 24mm f/2.8 wideangle lens has been revised as
an Ai
Nikkor 24mm f/2.8.
That version of the 24mm lens has a differing 9 elements in 9 groups optical formula
together with an Ai-coupling system added at its rear section. Surprisingly, since
then, it has been remained with such design until the current version of the AF-D
Nikkor 24mm wideangle lens was introduced - which clearly demonstrates how well Nikon
has prized over their design of the lens. Way back to those days, this little Nikkor
optical marvel has also been hailed s a flexible all round Nikkor lens which can
be used for wide varieties of photographic applications, including working in close
as a close-focus macro lens. Other than with the aid of CRC system it employs in
its optical design, where its close focus performance is equally top rated at its
closest focusing range, the lens can also achieve an astonishing magnification ratio
up to more than 10X magnification when use reversely mounted on a Nikon Bellows
Unit. So, along with another optical gem in the Nikkor 20mm ultra-wideangle lens,
these two Nikkor lenses were among the few Nikkor lenses that can project such an
extremely high magnification ratio. Visually, the f/2.8 lens of the 24mm has a 'thinner'
lens elements as compared to the faster f/2.0 version but that is irrelevant as no
one doubts about what this lens can perform opticall for you.

The picture above
shows an AI-S spec lens. The images at the bottom of this page are the AI versions.
Somehow, I always felt the previous AI lenses have a more solid feel than the AI-S
lens types. Generally, the AI-S lenses shows a distinctive pinkish lens coating.
Earlier version introduced during the late '70 has a greenish cast on the front lens
elements while the earliest series has a deep blue lens coating. The AI-S also has
a different silver Aluminum lens mounting ring with other AI-s features, retaining
major features which has made this lens famed for.

Credit: MCLau®, who has helped to rewrite
some of the content appeared this site. Chuck Hester® who has been helping
me all along with the development of all these Nikon websites;LarsHolst Hansen, 'Hawkeye'
who shares the same passion I have; Ms Rissa, Sales manager
from Nikon Corporation Malaysia for granting permission to use some of the official
content; TedWengelaar,Holland
who
has helped to provide many useful input relating to older Nikkor lenses; Some of the references
on production serial numbers used in this site were extracted from Roland Vink's website; HiuraShinsaku from Nikomat
Club Japan. Lastly,
to all the good people who has contributed their own expeience, resources or kind
enough granted permission to use their images of their respective optic in this site.
It is also a site to remember a long
lost friend
on the Net.Note:certain content and
images appeared in this site were either scanned from official marketing leaflets
& brochures published by Nikon and/or contribution from surfers who claimed originality
of their work for educational purposes. The creator of the site will not be responsible
for may discrepancies arise from such dispute except rectifying them after verification."Nikon", "Nikkormat", "Nippon Kokagu
KK"
& "Nikkor" are registered
tradename of Nikon Corporation Inc., Japan. Site made with an Apple IMac.